Weekender: June 8-10

Friday, June 8th

Eat some salad, Bread Co on Goodwin, all weekend (5 to 11 p.m.), $8

My absolute favorite salad is Bread Company’s lemony garlic greens. It’s simple: baby greens, tomatoes, croutons, a bit of parm, all tossed in this perfectly balanced dressing that is tart and bright and garlicky. I love it. I also love it when it’s placed on top of the roasted garlic pizza; it’s seriously one of my favorite meals in C-U. Salads always taste better when someone else is making them, and this one is the best. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie

Friday Night Live, Downtown Champaign, 6 p.m., free

Last week was the first Friday Night Live of the season, so week two is upon us. If you’re looking for some free music options in Downtown Champaign, check this out. Here are the performers this week, below. (PS)

Walnut & Chester: 
6pm: Etumu Elmari – alternative
7pm: Gavin Stolte – R&B/rock

Neil & Park: 
6pm: Wildwood – bluegrass
7pm: King T’z – blues/rock/country

Neil & Church (One Main Plaza):
6pm: Just Peachy Music– acoustic pop/rock
7pm: Love Sign – country/pop/rock

Main & Chestnut (in front of Exile on Main & Dandelion)
6pm: After Curfew – rock 
7pm: Josh Salinas – R&B

Also featuring our special weekly kids’ activity: Bubbles from Joyfulbubbles!

See Buyer & Cellar, The Station Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $10-20

So. Were you aware that Barbra Streisand for real has a MALL in the basement of her home? That’s the actual truth. Google it. That sets the premise for this play, featuring just one character, a struggling actor who finds work in Barbra Streisand’s basement mall. You can read our interview with the director here. Seems like a fun show to begin the summer season at the Station. Also, since it’s the first Friday of the run, you can get two tickets for $20. (JM) Photo from Facebook

Saturday, June 9th

Ride for Ray, Colbert Park, 7:15 a.m., cost varies

This will be the 2nd annual Ride for Ray, a bike race in honor of the late Ray Spooner, beloved local midwife and cyclist. You can read more about the story behind the event here. You can be a part of the day whether you participate in the 30, 62, or 124 mile races, or you just want to show up at Colbert Park to enjoy free family fun and cheer on the riders as they return. The ride will raise money for ALS/MDA, and you can donate here. (JM)

Yoga in the Park, Meadowbrook Park, 9 a.m., donations accepted

One of my favorite summer activities, doing a bit of stretching, refocusing, and relaxation with the sounds of nature as the backdrop. Afterward, take a walk along the trails at Meadowbrook, or maybe zip over to the Urbana market to treat yourself with something after your efforts. Sure you could grab some fresh local produce, but also donuts are a great companion to a morning of yoga. Bring a little cash for a donation, all of them will go to the park district’s Youth Scholarship Fund. (JM) Photo from Facebook

Learn to cook vegan Ethiopian cuisine, Common Ground Food Co-op, 2-4:30 p.m., $12-17

These Ethiopian cooking classes at Common Ground are very popular and usually sold out; the summer and travel schedules of many around these parts have gifted some spaces in this class. Take advantage of the availability of spots and register. It’s an impressive meal to make for friends and family. (JH)

Adult swim with a movie, Crystal Lake Park Aquatic Center, 8:15-11:15 p.m., $4-$9

If you’re an adult, adult swim is the best time at the pool. (It’s true.) CLPFAC staff will watch the kiddos while you enjoy some time floating in the water. They’re showing the Jumanji sequel, which is a terrible movie, but Dwayne Johnson is a national treasure. Conversely, you can leave the kids at home and just enjoy some time to yourself! (JH) 

Motes, V.V. Lightbody, ZXO, Cowboy Monkey, 9 p.m., $7

Motes are one of the mainstays of the local music scene nowadays, and they are performing on Saturday night to welcome the release of their brand new album Crash the Day into the world. You can read about the process from Constantin’s interview ahead of the show this weekend. Not only that, V.V. Lightbody is celebrating the release of her new album as well, and with an opener like psych outfit ZXO, we have ourselves a good party on a June summer night. (PS) Photo by Veronica Mullen

Sunday, June 10th

Go see RBG, The Art Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $6.75-10

I saw this a couple of days ago and wow, what a compelling documentary. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become a bit of an icon lately, becoming a voice of a dissent on a conservative leaning court. I did not realize the full impact of her work since the 1970s, as a force for equal protection under the law for women. The film is appropriate for older elementary and up, and is a must see. The Art has extended it’s run through next week. (JM) Photo by Julie McClure

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